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Pacifica Pier
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
23 reviews for Pacifica Pier
You know, mostly it's kinda crappy around the Pier. Not becasue of the Pier itself.
Because of the weather most of the year.
Because of the lack of a proper eatery at the base of the pier.
Because of other things the pier cannot control.
But when the hurdles are cleared for few wonderful days in August and September the Pacifica Pier show its best. When it does there is simply nothing better! The best pictures can do the Pier justice. Experience first hand is the only way to take it all in!
Come walk the Pier in Pacifica during the late August and early September times. You'll find out heartbreaking sunsets, ocean scents that will last a lifetime, and soothing ocean sound to still your soul.
2 stars for the pier in general 4 for the crabs
this place needs an upgrade, old and dirty, always foggy year round, being a bayarean we have become accustomed to the fog it is like a staple for us, several fisherman year round, beginning of november is the beginning of dungenous crab season, no license needed, some rope, some nets, some raw chicken you good to go
visited this place regularly during crabbing season, mostly night time only once during the day, they close the pier now at 10 pm I believe due to some graffitti work by some adolescents years back, if you catching dungenous make sure they are regulated size if a ranger comes by and checks your stash last i remember it was $250 per crab that is not of size 5 3/4 across per department of fish and game.
here is there link: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/...
bring a chair, bring some smokes, bring some type of drinks non alcoholic they will confiscate it, definitely bring a sweater and a hat
for the dedicated crabbers and fishermen i dont need to tell em what to bring they got everything on lock haha, they will even tell you what they are catching and what bait they using
fishing *** win some lose some
crabbing **** i go for the crab
ambiance **-**** in the dark cant see much so 4 stars during the day you can see they need to clean or do something to make it look better
watch for the rangers if you got crabs and they are under regulated size be prepared to pay
also for the girls that go hand sanitizer is a must, sweater or triple down jacket must, warm hat a must, foldable chair and magazine a must.
last thing these are crabs closer to the pier so they will have things attached to them, not sure how to explain it but when you pull one or two up you will see.
Down in the ocean next to a little bitty pier
Were three little fishes and their mommy fishy too
"Swim!" said the mommy fishy, "Swim if you can!"
And they swam and they swam right under the pier
Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo
Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo
Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo
And they swam and they swam all under the pier!
http://www.youtube.com...
I'm not sure what else I can say about the Pacifica Pier (see photos). It sure is fishy. Not like suspicious. Really, I mean fishy. That's what people come here to do. Not to take in the salty ocean air. Not to look back on the yawn-inducing view of Pacifica. Nope, people come here to fish, and they look like they take it very, very seriously. They also catch dungeness crab in wire baskets. There's no ferris wheel, no dollar arcade, no hot dog on a stick stand. Just dead fish and the people who killed them.
If this appeals to you, take Highway One down to Pacifica and look for the Pacifica Pier sign. Take the exit to the stop sign, make a right, and keep driving until you hit water. You make a left, and there it is in all its fishy glory. I ain't got nothing against fish when it's on a plate with a little wasabi, but flipping around on its last breath on a dirty wooden pier just doesn't do it for me. Just catch me at the Chit-Chat Cafe at the start of the pier bragging about the big one that got away. And always remember...
Boop boop dittum dattum wattum, choo
And they swam and they swam all under the pier!
Great view... !!!...
But pretty old, dirty, kind of gross and the bathrooms are scarey/gross too.
It was ok . . . . . I left having a good time but the pier is pretty old, dirty, kind of gross and the bathrooms are scarey/gross too. But I wasn't expecting the ritz, so it was fine.
They also have a little shop at the end of pier with lots of food, drinks and treats. The freshly grilled hot dog was fun to eat and tasty! MMMmmm
We didn't catch anything that day but it was a fun experience.
Its a long pier where you'll find alot of people fishing outta there.
I have walked on this Pier several times but I never actually went crabbing off of it before.
2 friends and I got 2 crab pots and headed to the pier. 6 hours later we had 9 crabs and a feast for 3 of us plus 2 waiting at home.
Everyone is very friendly on the pier and they all chip in for instances we forgot our gauge and a person let us borrow theirs. Also we helped a person bring a 20 pound or so Stripe bass with our crab pot as a make shift net.
The cafe at the beginning of the pier has some decent food in it. The Clam Chowda is not half bad.
I cant wait to go back for some more Crabs
Great fishing and crabbing here!
No crabs for me - does that mean this trip was a success? A fisherman would argue otherwise...
Took my mother here as a first stop heading south on our PCH tour. I really underestimated how large this flippin pier was. It is HUGE. Plenty of room for fisherman of all sorts, and you'll likely see a lot of people like us, just out for a casual stroll. I will say this about this pier - dress in layers! It was damn chilly when we went and my speedo DID NOT suffice.
The waves crashing against the pier and the huge rocks on the beach was awesome to watch - very relaxing.
No dogs allowed - despite there being a sign that said otherwise. Apparently that sign was just for the sidewalk?! Anyways, no matter, it makes perfect sense. A pier 50 feet above the ocean (a belligerently choppy and raucous ocean, at that) is not a safe place for spazzy dogs. Plus, the warden didn't cite us so I am not salty.
A must-see if you are in the area.
Ok. It's this simple:
Jump onto Highway 1 South and head down the hill to Pacifica.
Take the second exit (Exit 506) - Paloma Ave/Francisco Blvd to the stop sign.
Make a right turn and go to the end of Paloma.
Park. Grab book or iPod or lunch(optional). Exit vehicle. ENJOY!
Been coming here on and off for the past few years, but now I try to get my walk on here daily to recharge the negative ions. Sometimes at dawn, sometimes at dusk, rarely in-between. It's also a wonderful place to think and clear the mind. Incredible views...sun, fog, wind and rain sometimes all within minutes of each other. Equally enjoyable is a late-night walk on an extremely foggy night when no one else is out and you can't see 10 feet in front of you.
It's a pretty short and easy scenic hike (on trail) to Mori Point. Or you can walk out to the edge of the pier and check out the fishermen and crabbers. Grab coffee or a snack at the Chit Chat. Go down to the beach and have a seat or get your feet wet.
And be sure to smile at a stranger along the way!
My hardcore crabbing friends and I go here for some real catch! When crabs are expensive at the store, my friends and I buy some chicken pieces and catch at least 5 Dungeness Crabs. Don't worry we make sure it's legal! Don't try to sneak out with female crabs or baby sharks, the fines are outrageous!
Rock crabs from here are a a treat! They are so aggressive but so tasty after they've been in a hot bath...mmm.
It was a dark and stormy night...um, ok...just kidding. The night was clear and slightly foggy...but the waves were crashing like crazy all around. It was definitely not the right night to be out on the Pier trying to catch some Dungeness Crabs.
Since it was my first time...my friends thought for sure I'd have beginners luck. They made me cut up mackerel and stuff it into the bait cages. Gross! Unfortunately, it was not a case of beginners luck for me. I should have guessed since one friend "caught-the-pier" on his line and the other lost his line. We did catch a Bull Fish and some ugly sea urchin type of creature in the crab nets. The one crab that someone caught was too small by a hair, nobody wanted a $500 fine, so he got tossed back into the water. It was fun though!
I hope the next time the waters are calm and the moon is full. I want to catch me some crabs!
Caught our first legal size crab on May 24th, 2009. We called her Louisa. She was filled with crab "gold" and for some reason is the Best crab I ever had! Can't wait to go back.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/25/2009
Just recently got into angling and crabbing and let me tell ya...this is the spot for beautiful… Read more »
We had a ritual for a while of coming out here on New Year's Eve and walking on the beach in the moonlight, rain, hail, or whatever happened to be shakin that night.
I love to walk all the way out on the pier, where the big waves reach their crest - I've become a big chicken, and it's as close as I'm going to get to really getting in there past my hips! You can feel the pier vibrate with each wave, and it's got just enough adrenaline stimulation to satisfy the bravest kid or kid-wanna-be. You won't find any tourists there, because it's off the beaten path, only a fisherman or seagull may steal your perfect viewing spot. Seeing the waves roll in relentlessly give you an opportunity for that Zen moment in which you catch a peek at eternity.
Most days when I come here, the wind is blowing hard and the skies are grey. Today was no different, but I loved how there was a ray of sunlight coming out of the dark sky. Kind of like a sign of hope?
I don't know, but I enjoyed walking across the pier and watching the locals fish and enjoy spending time with their families. The waves will destroy you too.
This place is simply gorgeous: it's beautiful yet dangerous at the same. If you want to be close to Mother Nature on a stormy day, this is the place to be. Watch the ocean pound the beach with wave after wave so powerful, it makes you realize that you are just a speck in the universe. A tiny little speck of grain among billions on its sandy shore.
With each wave crashing on its pillar, you often wonder and think how much longer can they withstand the constant pounding. Makes you marvel at the engineering it took to build a structure stretching out in the Pacific. Blue, as far as the eyes could see on a clear, sunny day.
Watch the locals catch salmon and hoist up their crab nets. Fresh from the life giving sea, full of stories of the ones that got away. Stories told by Fathers to their Sons; to their Grandpas and Grandmas on how the big one got away. See the joys in their eyes as the kids gleam with pride when they reel in their catch. With a quick glance to Dad, he says: "Son, you did good."
Her beauty is so majestic that mere words would do justice. Stroll out to sea and reach out your arms; feel the wind in your hair; leave your mark on her wood grain, not a care in the world.
This place is for lovers, for kids and their parents. For first dates and first walks, and maybe a first kiss. Behold, her beauty is so toxic, at the same time so fragile.
That is why I love Pacifica Pier.
I finally decided it was time for me to go crabbing and Pacifica was the perfect place to go. The weather started off nicely, it was chilly but not unbearably cold. We got our crab nets, bait, and enthusiam and made our way out on the pier. We spent about 4 hours there and only caught 1 dungeness crab. I was a little disappointed b/c I thought I would be getting at least 10. But it wasn't the pier's fault. Apparently the crabs aren't as plentiful this season as it was last. Oh well, just my luck right?
Looking forward to coming back next year. Hopefully I'll get myself some crabs next year. ;)
I go to Pacifica Pier during any weather. As an avid fisherman, i know that this is one of the best places to catch fish in the bay area because of the variety that can be caught here.
On a nice sunny day, it's very beautiful, on a stormy day, you can see what nature looks like when she's angry.
although the pier is open til 10, there can be some shady figures there past sunset, so just becareful if you're there at night.
Been coming here for quite a while now. Five stars just don't do this place enough justice. Its one of the few places where you can not only get spectacular views while taking a jog or just simply walking, but also take in some of the freshest air you will ever breathe outside of san francisco. The best things in life are free, case and point.
This is for Rock Crab Hunting.
Hunting for Rock Crab has been one of favorite past times since I was a child. For years, my family and I had ventured to the San Francisco piers. During the late 70's and early 80's there wasn't much seafood markets in San Jose. So our family and another family would get together have these big family outings. It was fun. It was exciting. It was at night. It was great memories. By the late 80's, my family decided to retire from the fishing and crabbing events. Asian markets had dominated the South Bay with cheap prices that made it easier to buy local and stay home. I missed the moments of loading up the station wagon, gather the gear, and set up shop at the piers. The best memories were watching my dad and my uncles pull up the lines and nets to see what they caught. It wasn't until 1992 when my college friends and I decided to resurrect this favorite family past time. We were too broke to hit the clubs but gathered our nickels and dimes to organize our first trip to the San Francisco piers. We had one crab net, a packet of chicken, a tank full of gas, bag of chips, some sodas, and the determination to strike it rich! Our first night was a bummer. We visited a few old family spots and discovered that it was no longer open to public. So on the following weekend, we ended up at the Pacifica Pier. Success brought us about 20 crabs for our dinner. After a few years, we needed another spot. The Pacifica Pier is very treacherous and sometimes dangerous at night during high tides. So I went to http://www.pierfishing... and found our new hunting grounds: Municipal Pier.
Thank you Pacifica Pier for the memories. For the most part, the pier is closed because its run down and does show signs for aging. The last time I visited, it was closed due to the unsafe conditions at night.
great view... !!!...grab a coffee or water from chit chat cafe...and walk to the edge of pier....watch fisherman and crabbers chitchatting about their catch....a lot of seagulls...reminds me of the Nemo movie.."mine?mine?"....:))
watch the beautiful sunset.... heed back to ur car.....I would call it a "ZEN" day...and thats the experience I had here...!!
Every time I walk on the pier I say I need to do this more often. What a fantastic place to walk . . . hang out . . . dream. My partner and I used to head there whenever there was a raging storm, duck under the police caution tapes and stand on the benches leaning into the wind almost perpendicular. Yeah I know, stupid, but so much fun. Just love those days when the waves spray over the top. Then they put up that darn gate they can lock tight, I totally understand but too bad. Anyway, I love the pier and even though I don't eat fish, I am happy about the fact that people can fish on it with no license. It is also fantastic to walk or bike the berm. Our little dog loves that part, she thinks the ocean is boring but knows for sure that those huge ravens take off just because she told them to beat it. The Chit Chat at the front of the pier makes it so you can sip a hot drink on those cold foggy days . . . wow I wish I was there right now!
This is an absolutely beautiful place to walk. During the winter, the wind blows hard off the ocean (layers and lots of them are the key). Come down during a storm and you will see crashing waves that will take your breath away. Go there on a day like today ( a wonderfully mild day with that offshore flow, no fog, barely any wind) and you will tons of locals walking with their loved ones, kids, dogs (and today I even saw a guy with 2 parrots and a polkadotted dog!) walking along the pier and the promanade along the water then above the golf course and out to Mori Pt. Its great to live so close to this gem.
